I am new at this so bear with me as the first attempt to add the photo was a fizzer

Hi all,

Here is a picture of an FE van shell I bought a few months back. I recently took some photos of it next to an FC van I had at the time but have now sold. The floor in the FE is very rusty but I have in mind to build something a bit radical and different so will most likely replace the entire floor with something late model to get the larger tunnel and seat fixing points all in one.

I thought it was nice to see two vans side by side...One a daily driver and one waiting for the kiss of life

Regards, Tom

Hi all,

Have been back out to the wrecks. The station sedan FE-229-1681-A has subframe number 712224 B
and the sedan FE 225 27414 S has subframe number 8 46632 S.

The subframe number of the FE van wreck I bought that has its body ID plate missing is 8 45905 S

I have removed the tailgate strip for you Ed...just need to work out a way to get it to you.

Rabbitoh, the upper tailgate has rust hole in left lower corner...but there is a nice one on a wreck at the place in Inverell where I got my FE van shell. I will ask the guy how much next trip...maybe PM me with a mobile phone number and I can call you with the price when I am next out there? Also, the spare wheel lid brackets you are after were gone from the wreck but again might be on the other wreck in Inverell although it is full of junk and I could not see the floor...

I also went to a place in the scrub behind the Inverell airport where there used to be a wrecked FC van shell on its roof completely rusted out and was amazed to find someone had been and taken it away.

regards, Tom

Hello Ken,

I have another FC Panelvan ID plate for you. I will use this one on the FE van I bought if I dont locate an FE one. Next trip to Inverell I will get the sub-frame numbers of the FE sedan, wagon and panelvans x 2 and post them here plus a few others on he property I got the van from. I will have to get on to photobucket and post the pics I take then link it here.

FC van ID

No.     FC-2104-4123-A
Trim    199-653
Paint   256-2033
RPO        333

Regards, Tom

Hi Geoff. I checked the plate and you are right. There is a dividing mark between the codes that looked like a number 1. I will check to see if I can record the numbers for you. Regards, Tom

Hello Ken, I will get the number from the subframe. I am aware FE numbers are either stamped in large style same location as FC or in smaller stamping above the battery tray. There are a couple of FE-FC's on the property I got the van from that still have their ID plates intact so will record the numbers next trip to Inverell also.

I friend of mine who likes to remain anonymous has collected many many FE-FC ID plates over the last 30 years from wrecks. If you would like me to go thru them, provided he allows, it may fill in some blank spaces in your list.

Regards, Tom

Hi Rabbitoh, I will check the wagon for the brackets, not sure as the lid itself is gone, probably rotted away. From memory you were chasing an ID plate for your van same as me... by the way, can someone help with how to remove the roof gutter trim without damaging it..seems to be a crimped on fit.

Regards, Tom

I will  get the lower gate although it is rusty and the mould is a little dinged. I can send you a pic and let you decide if it is usable. Regards, Tom

I will be back out to the blackberry infested gully in a couple of weeks and will take some pics of the poor old darlings...pretty sorry sight really...I want to take off the roof rain gutter mouldings that are in perfect conditon on the wagon. There is also the remains of an FJ sedan right up next to the FE sedan that is also covered in blackberry...

I have also found the remains of an FC sedan that is partly under water in another gully down the road that actually has a pretty good floor that I need to fix the FE van I just bought...will take pics of that too.

I dont know much about numbers but the FE wagon seemed pretty early production?

I have just bought the remains of a very rusty windowless FE panelvan that was on a property on Gum Flat Rd, near Inverell NSW. The property owner tells me some time ago he allowed a student from Sydney? Uni to collect a "few" ID plates from the various cars scattered around his place thinking the fellow would get 3 or 4...instead he took about 150 tags including the one from the FE van..argh

The van has very faded signage on side near drivers door..."Bardahl Sales", no wheels or engine-gearbox.

I know I am looking for the proverbial needle in the haystack, but can anyone help with information as to who might have these ID plates as it would be a nice ending to the story to actually find it...not holding my breath of course...

I do have a spare FC van ID plate I can use, or swap for an FE one if there is one out there

Much appreciated...Tom H

Phone 0428 750 850
Email thannam5@bigpond.com

I have just got the ID details as follows for the remains of two FE's I found in a gully in Northern NSW.

FE Sedan -

Body FE 225 27414 S
Trim      261 703
Paint     256 6332

FE Station Sedan

Body FE 229-1681-A
Trim      240-573
Paint     253-7472
RPO      256-7704

Also my FC VAn

Body FC 2104-8220-A
Trim      196-654
Paint     256-2100
Insert
Top           333

Regards, Tom H

Just thought I would add an interesting footnote to this vehicle. It sat out in the weather at Mr Cooks farm near Inverell for about 25 years. He had driven it home I believe when its rego was about to run out and he stored salt blocks for cattle in the rear with the tailgate lower down...hence the bad rust in that part of the van. I tried to buy it around 1978 but at that time it was not for sale. Pity as the ravages of time and the salt licks certainly took a toll.

FYI I am updating this thread as I have received a couple of new enquiries in the last couple of days asking if this van is still for sale...The van is no longer for sale, thanks to those who enquired. This thread is now closed. Tom

I have made the difficult decision to place my van for sale as I do not have the time to put right the problems that emerged soon after I bought it 3 years ago...namely 186 engine has broken compression ring, radiator needs recore, brake cyl needs kit (already stainless sleeved). Van has only small amount of rust in usual places. Floors are near perfect. This van is now un-registed but plated for use in Qld with the 186, 4 speed and HR disc braked crossmember. Please call 0428 750 850 but I do prefer you  email me at tomhannam5@optusnet.com.au and I will send pics and answer any queries. Van is near Ballina NSW about 1.5 hours Sth of Qld border. I am asking $4,500 but am negotiable depending on degree of enquiry as I do want to sell it ASAP. FYI it is half windowless with one pair of side glass holes originally cut in. Thanks